I'm going to be driving from Illinois to Colorado for a long weekend on the Fourth. The drive, in total, is estimated to take 19 hours, so I'm going to need to stop somewhere along the way and get some sleep.

So, two questions:
1. I have a twin-sized air mattress. Think it'd fit (in my 2010 Prius III) if I flattened out the seats? I've slept in the back before (directly on the floor/seats) and loved the skylight/rear windshield, but it certainly wasn't the softest bed I've ever tried.
2. I really don't want to attract police attention for pulling over on the side of the highway (or a local road, for that matter) and getting some rest. Suggestions for [legal/advisable] places to stop? I've seen people mention Walmart parking lots, but I'm not sure how they would feel about having some 23-year-old setting up a bedroom on their property.

Two words: WINDOW TINTS. Put a dark tint on that back window and nobody will see you sleeping in the back. Two more words: COMFY BLANKETS. Cause you're right, sleeping on the 4/6 seats hurt! I've done it!

I just got back from at trip out west a month ago. Went from Indianapolis, IN to Phoenix, AZ. We planed the trip ahead and stop at hotels, so I can't say about sleeping in the back. The car gave us a very nice ride out there and back though. Oh, I also got the Clazzio PVC seatcovers right before the trip, and they made a big difference in the comfort level. I took a trip up to Chicago and found that I was moving a lot to get cofortable in the seat, not after I put the Clazzio's on though.

I agree about the window tint if that is you thing. I'm getting it on mine, I really could have use it in AZ.

I have an inflatable Coleman twin-sized matress and, it fits perfectly in my Genii. Just push the seats foreward and the seat backs foreward and the inflatable matress if thick enough will cover the gap between where the rear seats end and the front seats start. I'm 6'3" so that extra foot+ makes a world of difference.

I think you've received some great ideas. So to add to the possibilities, I'd also look at parking in a casino parking lot (assuming there is one along the way). The reason is that cars are parked there all day and night, so another car won't raise any red flags. But, I'd make sure your bed is already made before entering into the parking lot so that all you have to do is slip into the back seat and get under the covers. If somebody sees you making your bed, they might kick you out.

I've slept at rest stops and truck stops and have felt very safe. But don't tempt fate. Park where people are always walking around. It might be harder to fall asleep, but it is much safer.

Some 25 years ago I parked my tiny RV (seriously small, no bigger than a subaru outback but with a roof that extended up, room to sleep 3, curtains all-round and a propane stove) in the middle of a large, completely empty parking-lot at around 3am. I'd been driving for too many hours and just had to sleep and this seemed the perfect place.

It wasn't till I woke up that I discover that this was actually the site of a very busy market. I was completely surrounded by market stalls with no chance of driving out of there so I just kept the curtains closed and stayed inside all day until it was clear to leave.

So, the moral of this tale is, check any signposts to avoid any surprises in the morning.

The only problem with sleeping in my GenIII is the constant burping, gurgling and motorized noises that seem to never end. Go out and sit in it for a few minutes and see if that happens to your car. I know I am a light sleeper-but it kept me up alot-maybe earplugs?

Sleeping in rest areas scares me, because shady types know they can find people sleeping in cars. Plus you probably want to leave the windows cracked open to keep it from getting too stuffy inside, which could give them access. Mosquito netting would be good to have.

One hot sunny day when I REALLY needed a nap and the rest area had zero shade I found an alternative solution: motel parking lot. I prefer mid-level ones like Hampton Inn, and park towards the sides or rear. Probably best to nest quickly because many of them are covered by video security cameras.

Another option I've used in smaller towns: the police department parking lot. Just ask them. They probably prefer that to having to scrape you off the highway if you fall asleep at the wheel.

Although it sounds like fun to sleep in the car, may be (like someone already said) look in to Motel 6. In Kansas you can find one for under $40. You get to shower and sleep on a real bed. I have heard about rest areas too, but I would be too chicken to do that by myself (too much of New Detectives and FBI files). Interesting idea about police stations!!

I think the idea of camping in the car is totally valid when you are driving long distances and you need a nap or more but there are not convenient motels nearby or you don't plan on sleeping for more than a few hours. I do this all the time on my trips to Washington from California which is an approx. 13hr drive. I find it very convenient to just pull over at a rest stop, climb into the back and rest for a few hours then continue the drive. If you setup the bedding at the beginning of the trip it makes life easier.

Ohh tinted windows and a windshield shade like the one sold at the Prius Chat Shop REALLY help!

I used to drive big truck all over the country. I always slept in rest areas and truck stops. Never an issue. You'll likely find lot lizards knocking on your window in the middle of the night in truck stops, but they go away if you tell them to.

Just incase you are unfamiliar with trucker slang I will save you the time of searching Lot Lizard.

"Lot lizards"
A "lot lizard" is a commonly encountered special case of street prostitution. Lot lizards mainly serve those in the trucking industry at truck stops and stopping centers. Prostitutes will often proposition truckers using a CB radio from a vehicle parked in the non-commercial section of a truck stop parking lot, communicating through codes based on commercial driving slang, then join the driver in his truck.

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